Production of interchangeable EF lenses for Canon EOS-series AF (Autofocus) single-lens reflex film cameras began in 1987 at the Company's Utsunomiya Plant. Over the years, EF lenses have gained support from a wide range of users and production has since expanded to a total of four manufacturing bases, including Canon Inc., Taiwan; Canon Opto (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.; and Oita Canon Inc. in southern Japan.

EF lens production passed the 10-million-unit mark in 1995 and crossed the 50-million-unit threshold in 2009. In April 2014, the Company celebrated its first-in-the-world achievement of having manufactured 100 million EF lenses, and now, setting a new world record for the most interchangeable lenses produced, Canon manufactured its 120-millionth EF lens in August 2016. In addition, Canon's interchangeable-lens digital cameras (digital SLR and compact-system cameras), which utilize EF lenses, have maintained the No. 1 share of the global market for 13 consecutive years since 2003.*

Canon's proprietary EF lenses, launched in March 1987 along with the EOS SLR camera system, have continued to evolve since their introduction, leading the industry through the incorporation of a wide range of innovative technologies, including such world's firsts as the Ultrasonic Motor (USM), Image Stabilizer (IS) technology, a multilayered diffractive optical (DO) element, and Subwavelength Structure Coating (SWC) anti-reflection technology. The Company's extensive EF lens-series lineup currently comprises a total of 97 models,** including EF Cinema Lenses for digital cinematography.***

Canon will continue refining its imaging technologies centered on its EF lens lineup, striving to cater to the varying needs of photographers—from first-time users to advanced amateurs and professionals—while contributing to expanding the photographic and video imaging culture.

* As of March 29, 2016, based on a Canon survey.** Including two EF lens extenders and three models available outside of Japan. As of September 7, 2016.*** For more information visit "The Eyes of EOS" Canon EF lens portal site at www.canon.com/the-eyes-of-eos/

Users can see the results of IS technology through the viewfinder. Delivering high precision and stability for outstanding image stabilization results, this technology expands the possibilities for handheld photography.

EF400mm f/4 DO IS USM4

World's first2 use of a diffractive optical (DO) lens element

Dec. 2001

Diffraction is an optical phenomenon in which light waves bend as they pass around the edges of an object. DO lens elements use this phenomenon to correct for a variety of aberrations by controlling the path that light travels.

EF24mm f/1.4L II USM

World's first5 use of Subwavelength Structure Coating (SWC)

Dec. 2008

SWC technology helps minimize reflections by aligning countless wedge-shaped structures more minute than the wavelength of visible light on the surface of a camera lens.

EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

World's first2 use of Hybrid IS, which helps compensate for both angle camera shake and shift camera shake

Oct. 2009

Employing a newly developed algorithm, Hybrid IS optimally adjusts for camera shake based on information gathered by two sensors located in the lens. By precisely driving the optical correction system, the technology simultaneously corrects for angle and shift camera shake.

The EF8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM enables the capture of images with dramatic deformations, exaggerated perspectives and extreme depths of field, making possible images that are significantly distorted, similar to what a fish might see were it to look skyward from under the water surface.

As of September 7, 2016, production for this lens has already been discontinued. Successor: EF300mm f/2.8L IS II USM (launched in August 2011).

2

Among interchangeable SLR camera lenses.

3

As of September 7, 2016, production for this lens has already been discontinued. Successor: EF70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM (launched in September 2005).

4

As of September 7, 2016, production for this lens has already been discontinued. Successor: EF400 f/4 DO IS II USM (launched in November 2014).

5

Among photography lenses.

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions to the United States and to Latin America and the Caribbean (excluding Mexico) markets. With approximately $31 billion in global revenue, its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE: CAJ), ranks third overall in U.S. patents granted in 2015† and is one of Fortune Magazine's World's Most Admired Companies in 2016. Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest level of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based consumer service and support for all of the products it distributes. Canon U.S.A. is dedicated to its Kyosei philosophy of social and environmental responsibility. In 2014, the Canon Americas Headquarters secured LEED® Gold certification, a recognition for the design, construction, operations and maintenance of high-performance green buildings. To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company's RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/rss and follow us on Twitter @CanonUSA. For media inquiries, please contact pr@cusa.canon.com.

†Based on weekly patent counts issued by United States Patent and Trademark Office.